Purple Bolero Shrug

It took me a week or two, doing a bit now and then while we were watching tv in the evenings, to finish this bolero shrug. This is the first crochet thing I've made to wear, other than beanies and scarves!

bolero shrug, pattern by Lincraft

I used the pattern from the Lincraft booklet I bought a month or so ago. I bought the book for this pattern specifically, as I've been looking for free patterns on the net and haven't had much luck with them working out or being simple enough for me to follow. I tried one pattern and it was totally epic fail! I had trouble starting this one too, and in the end settled on buying the specific wool stated in the pattern from Lincraft, because they won't tell you what ply the wool is. This is a purple "Winter Warmth" wool which cost $3 for 50g, and it used just over one ball so there is some left over as I got two balls. Maybe I can make a nice little beanie or something with what's left?

Now I know the pattern I think I could make this again with other wool... hopefully! Making this bolero shrug taught me how to do raised ridges which you can see at the cuffs. I've been enjoying adding this new stitch to a couple of other projects I've done since, like a beanie and a doll's dress, which I will post about soon.